State Duals Preview and Predictions- 7A

Georgia Grappler

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January 19, 2024

After three years of the "Elite 8" the GHSA has decided to go back to the way things used to be with 2 teams from each Region qualifying for a 16-team bracket for the State Duals. For those new to this format, there are a couple of "quirks" to the bracket that can sometimes impact the seeding of the tournament. First, teams from the same Region, must be on opposite sides of the bracket, and secondly, the first round must be between a Region Champ and a Region Runner-up.

7A Bracket Link

Camden vs Harrison
Lambert vs North Cobb
Carrollton vs Mill Creek
Norcross vs Archer

West Forsyth vs East Coweta
Richmond Hill vs North Gwinnett
Brookwood vs Hillgrove
Kennesaw Mountain vs Buford

Everyone is waiting in eager anticipation for the rematch of the two Georgia Heavyweights in Camden and Buford. We will get to that dual eventually, but lets take a look at what may transpire with the other 14 teams in the bracket.

Top Half-

Camden has made a habit of getting shutouts in the early rounds of the State Duals, and it is a rare occasion where they lose more than 2 matches in a dual prior to the finals. The Wildcats will push past Harrison in round 1, but the big question is will we get to see Wilder vs Jones? Camden should see Lambert in the quarters, who will have a very close match with the best North Cobb team that we have seen in 2 decades. Carrollton vs Mill Creek could be the best 1st round match in this classification, look for the Hawks to get by on the strength of their heavy hitters. Archer should handle Norcross without too much pause, but their match with Mill Creek in the quarters will be a close one that could come down to bonus points that Archer gives up. The Tigers surprised a few folks by knocking off Brookwood in the Region Finals, but they will come up just a little short in the quarters.

Bottom Half-

West Forsyth and Richmond Hill should meet up in the quarters, and that will be the best match in this classification for round 2. West Forsyth has the advantage in top tier wrestlers, but Richmond Hill has fewer weak spots in their starting 14. West Forsyth should be on upset alert in this dual, and its only going to take 1 upset for Richmond Hill to take the match. I think West Forsyth will win the dual, but I wouldn't be overly surprised if Richmond Hill knocks them off. Brookwood should rebound nicely against Hillgrove, but they will run into Buford in the quarters and drop to the consolation round.

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Semifinals-

Camden vs Mill Creek- You know Mill Creek is going to get their wins with Bambinelli, Stiffler, and the Millses, but that may be the only matches they in in this dual. Camden won in the semis last year 42-24, and I think it will be a very similar match and score this year.

Prediction- Camden over Mill Creek by 23

Buford vs West Forsyth-This is another semifinal rematch from last year, which Buford won 58-15. Buford returns most of the same team from last year, IF they are healthy. However, even if they are missing a couple of starters, they should have enough to get past West Forsyth.

Prediction- Buford over West Forsyth by 35

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Consolation Rounds-

Round 1

North Cobb over Harrison
Carrollton over Norcross

North Gwinnett over Norcross
Hillgrove over Kennesaw Mountain

Round 2

Brookwood over North Cobb
Carrollton over Richmond Hill

Archer over North Gwinnett
Hillgrove over Lambert

Consolation Quarters

Carrollton over Brookwood
Archer over Hillgrove

Consolation Semis

Mill Creek over Carrollton
West Forsyth over Archer

3rd Place Match

A Just like the Championship Finals, this is a rematch of last years consolation finals, which was won by Mill Creek 50-27. While i think West Forsyth may have closed that gap a little bit, I am not sure they have made up 23 points. Look for Mill Creek to nullify a couple of West Forsyth's top wrestlers with their heavy hitters, and then take advantage of a few weak spots in the Wolverines starting 14 to win the dual.

Prediction- Mill Creek over West Forsyth by 10

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Finals-

Camden Co vs Buford- The heavyweight rematch that everyone in the state of Georgia has been looking forward to for an entire year. Last year i picked Camden Co to win, and said that I wasn't picking against them until they actually lost, a lot of people commented that I was out of my mind and crazy, well Camden won 39-22. I may have had Buford ranked higher, but I still went with Camden and it proved to be the correct pick. I am sticking by my guns again and picking Camden to win the State Title again over Buford. Obviously this has the makings of a very tight dual as there are as many as 8 toss up matches if both teams are at full strength. However, we haven't seen Buford's #1 lineup all season, so I am not confident it will be on display this weekend.

Prediction- Camden Co over Buford by 7

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Final Standings: